The 1st Edition of Research Reports International's The Impact of the Smart Grid on Utilities, Customers, and National Security is a 75-page report which seeks to provide a thorough understanding of what the Smart Grid is, the changes that it will bring about, customer concerns that may create a barrier to implementation, and vulnerabilities in the electric system that might be introduced or exacerbated by its introduction.

The current grid is based on technology that was invented more than one hundred years ago. Today, it is inefficient, congested, and incapable of meeting the future energy needs of the Information Economy without changes in operations and investment of significant capital over the next several decades. To meet the challenges of the future, the grid must undergo a transition from a centralized, producer-controlled network to a decentralized, user-interactive one. Not only will the technology involved in the electric grid change, but the entire business model of the industry will change too.

The Impact of the Smart Grid on Utilities, Customers, and National Security provides electric industry participants with the knowledge they need to begin implementing the Smart Grid.

Topics covered in the report include:

Overview of the characteristics that define the Smart Grid

Identification of the components that make up the Smart Grid

Analysis of deficiencies of the current grid and the need for new investment

Discussion of how the Smart Grid differs from the current grid

Identification of the key concepts involved in transitioning to a Smart Grid

Analysis of the benefits of a Smart Grid for both market participants and society in general

Evaluation of the impact of the Smart Gird on electric industry participants

Discussion of the key technologies required to implement the Smart Grid

Evaluation of the impact of dynamic pricing on the customer's role in the electricity value chain

Overview of the need for device automation to support customer response to dynamic pricing

Identification of customer concerns about the impact of the Smart Grid on themselves

Analysis of actions that can be taken to increase customer acceptance of the Smart Grid

Discussion of the need for critical infrastructure protection

Evaluation of vulnerabilities that exist in the electric grid, as well as vulnerabilities inherent in the Smart Grid

Overview of the steps that need to be taken to secure the Smart Grid

Discussion of initiatives being undertaken to ensure adequate security

Discussion of efforts to develop standards for and support implementation of the Smart Grid in the U.S. and Europe

The Impact of the Smart Grid on Utilities, Customers, and National Security comes in Adobe Acrobat PDF format via email or Hardcopy for $299.